Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Worcester Community Foundation Announce the Leadership Worcester Class of 2016
Twenty-five, Rising Professionals Chosen for Leadership Development Program
Worcester, Massachusetts—The Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Worcester Community Foundation announce the selection of 25 talented professionals who will comprise the class of Leadership Worcester 2016.
Members of the Leadership Worcester Class of 2016 are: Emily Barnett Linhares, Eric Batista, Mark Borenstein, Etel Capacchione, Joshua Croke, Anthony Dragga, Amanda Gregoire, Corey Higgins, Naomi LeBlanc, Patrick Lowe, Patrick Maloney, Samantha McDonald, Jessica McGarry, Julie Orozco, Joseph Ortiz, Brandon Parker, Christina Puleo, Jackson Restrepo, Jennifer Robare, Brendaliz Torres, Elizabeth Tripp, Margo Valdes, Katherine Bagdis Wally, Helene Winn, and Nicole Zea.
Selected from more than 50 applicants, the class includes a diverse group of women and men from Central Massachusetts representing the communities of Auburn, Bolton, Holden, Leominster, Paxton, Shrewsbury, and Uxbridge with 16 from Worcester, representing two-thirds of the class. The rigorous application process included an online application, a video, and recommendations. The selection committee sought motivated individuals who aspire to take an active leadership role in Worcester and the surrounding towns and who want to learn and hone new leadership skills.
The Leadership Worcester Class of 2016 represents a variety of industry sectors, cultural backgrounds, and diverse educational experiences. Participants are affiliated with the following organizations or employers: Adelante Worcester, Assumption College, City of Worcester, Bowditch & Dewey, Community Healthlink, Conservation Services Group, EMC Corporation, Fallon Health, Fletcher Tilton, Hanover Insurance Group, Mirick O’Connell, Mountain Dearborn, Nativity School of Worcester, Pernet Family Health Services, Saint Gobain Abrasives, Seder & Chandler, Self-Origin Consulting, Unum, Webster Five, Worcester County Food Bank, and YMCA of Central Massachusetts.
The class will get underway on September 18, 2015, with an overnight retreat at the Beechwood Hotel offering participants an opportunity to get to know one another, determine individual leadership strengths, and begin to explore the Worcester community and the emerging leadership needs.
Monthly sessions will explore topics critical to the Worcester region beginning with Medicine and Population Health. Monthly daylong sessions will be held from October through April, culminating with a graduation in May 2016. Additional session topics include: economic development; local government and politics; education; justice, law, and community safety; arts, culture, and quality of life; and urban environment and energy.
The daylong sessions will take place between 8:30 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. on the second Thursday of the month from October through April and culminate in graduation in May 2016. Additional session topics include: economic development; local government and politics; education; justice, law, and community safety; arts, culture, and quality of life; and urban environment and energy.
“We are excited about this class of rising professionals,” said Timothy P. Murray, President and CEO, Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce. “The participants are representative of Worcester’s diverse population and have much to offer each other from their unique perspectives and experiences. Combined with the content from this comprehensive program presented by community leaders, I am confident that at graduation, they will we well on their way to help our city in many, many ways.”
“After more than a year of solid planning and the selection of this outstanding class of motivated and dedicated professionals, the program is ready to begin. We are eager to forge these new relationships and enable the members to participate in leadership roles to strengthen our community,” said Ann T. Lisi, President and CEO, Greater Worcester Community Foundation.
The cost to participate in the program is $2,500. Scholarship assistance from employers and donors including: George F. and Sybil H. Fuller Foundation, George I. Alden Trust, Stoddard Charitable Trust, Hoche-Scofield Foundation, and the Fletcher Foundation, as well as individuals who are passionate about cultivating the next generation of leadership, was contributed to assist where needed.
Applications for the next class will be available online in February 2016. For more information, visit www.leadershipworcester.com.
Media Contact:
Christina Andreoli, Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce
508-753-2924, ext. 236
candreoli@worcesterchamber.org
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ABOUT THE GREATER WORCESTER COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Greater Worcester Community Foundation is a grant maker, a resource for philanthropy, and a community builder. It unites people from diverse sectors to create positive change within our region. In its 39 years, the Foundation has awarded over $75 million to cultural, educational, human service and civic organizations, and has built a charitable endowment exceeding $140 million in over 480 named funds created by local citizens. For more information, visit www.greaterworcester.org.
ABOUT THE WORCESTER REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce is the largest Chamber in New England representing 2,300 members from all industries and of all sizes located in a service area of 35 cities and towns and other communities in Central Mass. and beyond. Worcester’s affiliates are Auburn, Blackstone Valley, Central Mass. South, Wachusett Area, and Webster Dudley Oxford. For more information, visit www.worcesterchamber.org.
